When your graduating teen becomes a legal adult, take steps to protect your right to parent in a crisis

In just a few short months, graduating seniors will be heading off to college and living on their own. As a parent who has spent years keeping your child safe from trouble and danger, you may feel relieved to know your job as Supermom or Superdad is almost done.

What many parents don't realize, however, is that protecting graduating seniors is just as important as protecting the child you once purchased car seats, cabinet locks and kneepads for! That's because, in the eyes of the law, your baby is now a legal adult.

That means that if your teen is involved in a serious accident, strict HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996) laws may prevent doctors and hospitals from communicating with you. Dealing with financial institutions is almost impossible, and something as simple as changing flight plans over spring break can be a nightmare without permission.

So how can you legally stay involved in your teen's life and continue to maintain control? The first step is becoming your child's financial and medical power of attorney. This will ensure you are able to make decisions and call the shots for your child in an emergency. The second step is to have your teen pre-sign a HIPAA form so that you can access medical records and communicate with doctors on his or her behalf.

These three simple documents are easy to create and will make a world of difference for your family in a crisis. Talk to your trusted legal adviser and make sure your teen is protected before school starts next year.

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